A fleet of 16 underwater drones are to trawl the world's oceans as part of a
research project into mapping the world's oceans

The 16 unmanned submarines will explore the world's oceans as part of a research project by Rutgers University.

Each 2.2 metre-long glider will rely on the energy from buoyancy changes to propel it forwards at speeds of around 35 km per day as it navigates using altitude and depth sensors, a GPS receiver and altimeter.

The drones will continually collect data about the oceans' currents, temperature and salinity to improve the accuracy of current climate and weather forecasting. Levels of phytoplankton around the vehicles will also be monitored using sustainable optic sensors.

The data will be transmitted to the research time via a telecommunications link provided by Iridium satellites every time each submarine surfaces.

David Wigglesworth, vice president and general manager of Iridium, said: "The health of our oceans is truly an indicator of the health of our planet, and the Challenger Glider Mission will provide the kind of high-resolution data desperately needed by researchers to evaluate and assess the current ocean state."

Scott Glenn, Co-leader of the Challenger Glider Mission and Professor of Physical Oceanography at Rutgers University, said: "The technology underpinnings of this mission are truly enabling our researchers to gather more and better data than ever before, enhancing the basis of knowledge for future generations.

"Part of our goal with this mission is to increase global ocean literacy. This expanded dataset will enable students and researchers to focus on the science of their local waters, as well as be a part of a global research community, all working toward understanding the ocean's role in regulating the changing climate and weather."

The project is scheduled to last until 2016, during which each glider is expected to travel between 6,000 and 8,000 km.